Antimicrobial compositions and methods for treating packaged food products

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of using an antimicrobial composition on a food product where the antimicrobial composition is applied to a food product, the food product is packaged and sealed, and then activation energy is applied to the sealed food product.

主权项

1. A method of reducing microorganisms on a food product comprising:
(a) applying an antimicrobial composition to a food product; (b) packaging the food product in a packaging to create a packaged food product; (c) sealing the packaged food product so that additional microorganisms are less likely to enter the packaging; and (d) applying a sub-lethal amount of heat at a temperature of from about 160° F. to about 210° F. to the sealed food product for about 2 to about 20 seconds to activate the antimicrobial composition, wherein the heat is applied in a shrink tunnel, the heat alone does not significantly reduce the microorganism population, and the heat activated antimicrobial reduces the microorganism population by about 1 log to about 3.5 logs.